“Me too.” She took back his hand. “What if we just take it slow? You know where I live. Maybe you can take a long weekend sometime soon?”
The lines of worry faded from Jace's face and a handsome grin replaced them. “I think I have some vacation days coming up.”
“You mean you didn't use them all up on your sister's wedding?” Ella teased. Wind rocked the helicopter but she ignored it. She was getting better at this already.
“I'm the boss,” Jace replied. “I get as many days off as I want.”
“Then why not just take them all off?” Ella asked, leaning back. She was glad they weren't talking about “them” anymore. It hurt more than she had expected.
“Because I do have at least pretend to do work,” Jace teased. As if to accentuate his words, his phone started to ring again.
“Better get pretending, then,” Ella told him. Her mouth smiled and she decided to pretend herself. She could pretend that everything was fine. She didn't need Jace. She'd been on her own for years and he'd only been here for a couple of days. In a week, everything would be back to normal and she would just look back on this weekend and smile.
At least, that's what she told herself.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The helicopter landed just as smoothly as it did the time before. Ella didn't even make a noise this time. This time she even managed to smile. Granted, it didn't touch her eyes and the falseness of it hurt her jaw, but she did smile. There was hope for her helicopter flying days yet.
Jace held her hand as they stepped out of the helicopter and hurried away from the noise of the blades. It was amazing to Ella just how noisy the machine was. As soon as they were clear of the landing zone, the helicopter took off again to return to the hanger, leaving them on the edge of the inn's property.
“I'm afraid I have to go to work,” Jace informed her as soon as the helicopter was gone.
“It's okay,” Ella quickly told him before he could say that he was sorry. She understood that he was a busy businessman and that he hadn't planned on taking today off at all. Despite his fine words that he was the boss, she could only imagine how many of his CEO strings he had to pull just to get the time off he did. “Today has been the best day I think I've ever had.”
Jace's expression softened slightly. “I'm glad. Can I at least walk you home?”
Ella giggled. “I am home.” She motioned to the inn. “I live here, remember?”
“Right.” Jace managed to look slightly bashful, which was a good look on him.
“But, you can walk me to the barn,” Ella offered. “I want to check on Captain and Commander after their big day yesterday.”
Jace grinned and offered her his arm. From there, he escorted her across the property as if they were in some sort of 18th century romance novel. Ella loved it. It felt romantic and sweet, yet simple. She could see the two of them doing this everyday. The thought sent a pang of hope and regret through her heart. Hope that it could happen, and regret that it would take time.
“Well, m'lady,” Jace said when they reached the open barn door. “I must take my leave of you here.”
“Why, thank you, kind sir,” Ella replied just as elegantly. She curtsied. “It was most kind of you.”
Jace pulled her from the curtsy and directly into a kiss. His lips pressed into hers as if he couldn't bear to let her go. His tongue caressed hers as he pulled her deeper into himself, stealing a part of her away to be his forever.
She in turn, closed her eyes and memorized every sensation. The softness of his hair in her fingers, the strength of his arms, the gentle smell of manly cedar, even the slight scratch of his five-o'clock shadow. Everything was committed to memory.
His phone buzzed against her leg, reminding them that he couldn't stay. Slowly, regretfully, they both pulled away.
“
I'll see you tomorrow,” Jace said. It wasn't a question. He was going to see her tomorrow.
“I wouldn't miss it for the world,” Ella replied, still breathless from the kiss.
She almost added, I love you, but that felt too soon. She'd only known him for a couple of days, and he was on vacation after all. Better to just stay quiet than risk freaking him out with saying the L-word too soon.
“Bye,” he whispered. He kissed her forehead one last time before walking away. She could see in the set of his shoulders how hard it was for him. They were up around his ears and his feet dragged as he walked.
She watched him for a moment, appreciating how wonderful his ass looked in his dark blue pants. She didn't mean to bite her lip, but she couldn't stop herself from chewing on it. He just looked so damn good.
With a sigh, she turned and headed into the barn. Captain's head popped over the stall first, followed quickly by Commander's.